Page 116 - DENG201_ENGLISH_II

English - II

Notes
Key-words
1. unhindered—unchecked 2. rigours—severe conditions 3. ecstasy—state of strong feeling
4. cognitive—process of acquiring knowledge 5. dubious—doubtful

Points to Remember:
1. Growth of ‘self-centred passions’ has led people to depression.
2. Drug abuse is a psychiatric, psychological and social problem.
3. Drugs are mostly introduced to a person by his friends.
4. Drugs provide temporary relief from stress but produce harmful effects in later life.
5. India has been confronted with the problem of increased trafficking in drugs.
6. The government has to make more stringent laws to deal with menace.
7. The parents should make a concerted effort towards the progress of their children.
8. NGOs should also help in eradicating the menace.

5. Unity in Diversity

Our country comprising of many ethnic groups with myriad spoken languages, dialects and regional
diversities. Its people profess and practise different faiths and religions which is reflected in their
customs, rituals, norms, dresses and festivals. In spite of the regional diversities, the citizens remain
essentially united. History is a witness to the fact that though several foreign invaders attacked India,
none succeeded in obliterating the basic Indian culture. On the contrary, the inherent quality to imbibe
and the power of tolerance helped the Indian culture to emerge richer after these aggressions. India
emerged as a composite cultural society where world religions like Christianity, Buddhism, Islam,
Zoroastrianism and Judaism have co-existed with Hinduism, Jainism and others. In the process, the
Indian culture has made itself rich through synthesis.
During the colonial rule in the 19th century, there was a widespread resentment among the local
rulers, the common masses and the peasantry, towards the British which culminated in the Revolt of
1857. It was the first time in Indian history that people from all walks of life, irrespective of their
caste, religion and region, stood together against a common enemy. Though the revolt was unsuccessful
in its endeavour, it proved that if a splintered society forsakes its narrow walls of differences, it could
prove a threat to any aggressor. The revolt was crushed by the end of 1858 but the British realised
that Hindu-Muslim unity was a threat to their empire.
Towards the end of the 19th century, the resentment against the British rule picked up momentum.
The urban middle class, which received western education and was inspired by western liberal views,
became the harbinger of the second freedom struggle. But it realised that it had to involve the masses
in its struggle to make it successful. Gandhiji realised the need for mass mobilization and unity
among the people. He worked to develop harmony between the Hindus and the Muslims. The colonial
rulers viewed the emergence of nationalism transcending religious barriers, as a threat to their hegemony.
So, they propounded the policy of divide and rule which was intended to prolong their rule in India.
It led to the feeling of intolerance among Indians. This culminated in the partition of India. Though
we were successful in ending colonial rule in India, their prolonged presence not only exposed the
cleavage between majority and minority groups but also between sub-groups of the, same religion.
Independent India inherited a conservative community which followed the rigidities of the caste
system and had diverse religions. The Indian Constitution gave paramount importance to secularism.
Though the word ‘secularism’ was included in the Preamble of the Constitution after the 42nd
amendment in 1976, Articles 25 to 29 provided for the freedom of religion and protection of cultural
and educational rights of the minorities. The Constitution guarantees each individual the freedom to
profess, practise and propagate his religion and assures strict impartiality towards all religions. It
clearly defines the nature of secular state in India. It declares that there would be ho state religion in
India. The state will neither establish a religion of its own nor confer any special patronage upon any
particular religion. The typical Indian concept of secularism is defined as Sarva Dharma Samabhava.

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